Ethanal

Ethanal, (formerly known as acetaldehyde), volatile, colourless liquid, CH₃CHO, with a pungent, fruity odour. It is important as an intermediate in the manufacture of many chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and plastics, including ethanoic acid (acetic acid), butanol (butyl acid), trichloroethanal (chloral), and pyridine. Ethanal is miscible (mixable) with water and most common organic solvents and is manufactured by the oxidation of ethene (ethylene), by the oxidation of ethanol (ethyl alcohol), or by the combination of water with ethyne (acetylene). Ethanol melts at -123.5° C (-190.3° F), boils at 20.8° C (69.4° F), and has a density of 0.778 g per ml at 20° C (68° F).